Daily Telegraph – Navy frigates defend world oil prices in the Gulf
In a small corner of the Gulf, British-led forces have been protecting the oil installations key to controlling world oil prices.
Monthly Archives: October 2008
US Navy – Riverine squadron prepares for new duty in Iraq
Virginian Pilot – Riverine squadron prepares for new duty in Iraq
The sailors in Riverine Squadron 1 are ready veterans – nine in 10 deployed with the unit to Iraq less than two years ago. But their return to Anbar province and patrolling the Euphrates River in a few weeks may bring less combat.
Iranian Navy – Iran 'opens naval base' near Gulf
BBC – Iran ‘opens naval base’ near Gulf
Iran has opened new naval facilities east of the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow entrance to the Gulf which is key to oil supplies, state media say.
Piracy – NATO escorts shipload of supplies to Somalia
Associated Press – NATO escorts shipload of supplies to Somalia.
NATO warships safely escorted a cargo of supplies through the pirate-infested waters off Somalia on Monday for the first time .
US Navy – Raytheon Floats Sub-Launched UAV Concept
Defense Technology International – Raytheon Floats Sub-Launched UAV Concept
US Navy – Shivver Me Aerostats
Defense Technology International – Shivver Me Aerostats
The U.S. Navy is in the very first stages of exploring ways to increase its ability to monitor maritime traffic off the pirate-plagued coast of Somalia. And one idea being given a preliminary look is the use of aerostats tethered to barges.
French Navy – France 'captures Somali pirates'
BBC – France ‘captures Somali pirates’
Nine suspected Somali pirates have been captured by the French navy and handed over to regional officials in northern Somalia.
US Marines – Helicopter-plane Osprey fares well as ferry in Iraq
Associated Press – Helicopter-plane Osprey fares well as ferry in Iraq
After a troubled history, the V-22 Osprey – half-helicopter, half-plane – has been ferrying troops and equipment across Iraq for a little more than a year without a major incident.
Sri Lankan Navy – Sri Lanka navy: Rebel suicide attack foiled at sea
Associated Press – Sri Lanka navy: Rebel suicide attack foiled at sea
Sri Lanka’s navy destroyed two explosive-laden Tamil Tiger rebel boats Wednesday that attempted to crash into two cargo ships sailing to the country’s troubled north, a spokesman said.
Royal Navy – Chagos islanders lose legal fight to return home
Associated Press – Chagos islanders lose legal fight to return home
Britain’s highest court on Wednesday dashed the hopes of Chagos Islanders seeking to return to the Indian Ocean homeland they lost when the island of Diego Garcia was leased to the U.S. for an air base.
Piracy – NATO flotilla to start anti-piracy operations soon
Associated Press – NATO flotilla to start anti-piracy operations soon
A NATO flotilla sailing toward the Somali coast will begin anti-piracy operations within the next few days, but officials said Wednesday the alliance was still working out the rules of engagement for the seven ships.
Russian Navy – Russian ship passes Suez on anti-piracy mission
Associated Press – Russian ship passes Suez on anti-piracy mission
The Russian guided missile frigate Neustrashimy (Intrepid) is passing through the Suez Canal to join military vessels from other nations protecting shipping in pirate-infested waters off Somalia.
Military Space – U.S. Eyes Reaction Force That Rockets Into Space
Defense News – U.S. Eyes Reaction Force That Rockets Into Space
A new meaning for the term “Quick Reaction Force”?
Piracy – Blackwater sets sights on Somali pirates
Virginian Pilot – Blackwater sets sights on Somali pirates
Is combatting piracy a new potential market for private military contractors?
Indian Navy – India launches first navy mission against pirates
Daily Telegraph – India launches first navy mission against pirates
More details on India’s attempt to fight piracy off of Somalia.
Editorial Note – Redesigned Site for NOSI
Reply
Today NOSI has migrated from the Manila blogging platform which it has used over the last 9 years, to the more popular WordPress blogging platform.
The entire site was migrated over in an automated fashion. If you see any bugs or broken links in this new site, please take a moment to let me know.
The feature set of WordPress is quite different from Manila, and it will take me some time to find my way around this new tool. At a minimum, the appearance of each post will change a bit, and I expect more will change over time. Thank you in advance for your patience…
Miscellaneous – Farmer in Chief
New York Times Magazine – Farmer in Chief
A fascinating article by Michael Pollan that makes a point I had never previously considered:
“The health of a nation’s food system is a critical issue of national security…For nations that lose the ability to substantially feed themselves will find themselves as gravely compromised in their international dealings as nations that depend on foreign sources of oil presently do. But while there are alternatives to oil, there are no alternatives to food.”
Geopolitics / Energy – Bova's Big Idea
Aviation Week and Space Technology – Ben Bova, the prolific sci-fi novelist, has a big idea for the next president – enlist NASA in a crash program to launch a commercially viable space solar power industry in the U.S. “before the end of your second term.”
Indian Navy – Indian warships to be deployed in Gulf of Aden
India Today – India sends the frigate INS Ganga to mount its own anti-piracy patrol off of Somalia.
Royal Navy – Royal Navy seeks powers to arrest Somali pirates
Daily Telegraph – The Royal Navy could be given powers to seize Somalian pirates plaguing the Gulf of Aden and hand them over to the wartorn country’s authorities.
Royal Marines – Royal Marines Whiskey Company Arrives In Sangin, Afghanistan
Defense Technology International – Royal Marines of Whiskey Company (45 Commando) relieved 2 PARA Battle Group at Sangin on October 10, 2008. The Royal Marines will operate in Helmand Province, Afghanistan from Sangin for the next six months.
French Navy – World First for Landing UAV Aboard a Ship
Defense Technology International – Another significant step for seabased unmanned air vehicles (UAVs) took place this weekend on the Mediterranean when a helicopter UAV was automatically landed on a French Navy frigate, the Montcalm.
Royal Navy – Navy to tackle Gulf pirates
The Observer – Britain is to send the frigate HMS Northumberland to combat piracy off the East African coast amid concerns that a spate of violent attacks on shipping could drive up oil prices.
Piracy – Somali pirates attack two more ships in Indian Ocean
Daily Telegraph – The piracy crisis that threatens to cripple vital shipping lines through the Indian Ocean has claimed fresh victims as Somali bandits attacked two more ships.
more…
Piracy – Yo Ho NATO!
Defense Technology International – The Standing NATO Maritime Group will begin anti-piracy operations off the Somali coast in two weeks. NATO Secretary General Jaap de Hoop Scheffer told a press conference on 9 October, the first day of an informal meeting of allied defense ministers in Budapest, that NATO ships would escort vessels transporting World Food Program (WFP) aid to Somalia, on the request of the United Nations. He said the NATO warships would also conduct patrols off the Somali coast to deter pirates.
more…
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